The History of the Sinclair/Timex User Group

Last fall, I started the user group to bring owners of the Sinclair computers together to share how they were using them, as well as to discuss problems and discover solutions. During late summer of 1981, I did some contract work with Sinclair Research in Boston. I was curious and anxious to meet people who were interested in or already using the Sinclair computer for applications in business, education, science, and the home.

Our first meeting was on October 14, 1981, one week after Clive Sinclair, founder of Sinclair Research, Ltd., introduced the ZX-81 to the United States at a press conference in Boston. The user group met in an office located in Kenmore Square, eighteen people attended the meeting. Since Sinclair had not started shipping the ZX-81, most of the attendees were owners of the ZX-80 (the model that preceded the ZX-81). The meeting was very successful with a lot of enthusiasm exchanged.

The second meeting, however, almost did not occur. Two days prior to the meeting, I was informed that we no longer had access to our meeting place. The company that was letting us use the space went out of business. Frantically, searched to find another place that was available for the right price (free) and near public transportation. After checking with many government agencies and failing to find a suitable place, we met in the BCS office. This change required posting signs at the old meeting site to inform people of the last minute change. After trying to squeeze 22 people into the BCS office, it was obvious that we needed to find a larger meeting place for the group.

At the Northeast Computer Show, I happened to sit next to an enthusiastic new owner of a ZX-81. After we spoke for a while, she offered her place of work, which was the Countway Library (the Harvard Medical Library). That worked out for two meeting, but again we outgrew the space.

Things were beginning to look a bit grim for finding a permanent meeting place that could accommodate our rapid growth. Then, Rick Kane called and offered me the use of the whole Physics Department at UMass, Boston, Harbor Campus. When I learned we could have TV monitors, places to store some of our equipment, a choice between an auditorium that could seat 150 and one for 550, smaller rooms for breakout sessions, access by public transportation, and parking, it was obvious where our home would be. Furthermore, Rick is director of the Source and Compuserve users groups of the BCS. I knew that some day we would have a modem for the computer and that cooperation between our groups would prove very beneficial.

Since February we have been meeting in the small auditorium which accommodates 150 people. During the summer months attendance varied between 50 and 75 people. Our September newsletter had a mailing of over 300. Now, with people returning from vacation, the number of attendees will grow. Also, due to increased sales of both the ZX-81 and the TS-1000, we expect a very large increase in attendance. Therefore, as of October, we will be meeting in the large auditorium, one floor above the present meeting room. We hope that UMass will continue to be our home until the BCS gets its new building.

In July our group’s name was changed from Sinclair User Group to Sinclair/Timex User Group to reflect our interest and support for owners of both Sinclair and Timex computers.

I’m excited for the future of the group. With the rapid growth, we have the potential of becoming the largest group within the Boston Computer Society. However, we will always try to structure the meetings so that everyone is served.